Congolese Community Profile
April 2010
Updated June 2013
Updated June 2015
Country Background
Location
The Democratic Republic of
the Congo (French:
République démocratique du
Congo), sometimes referred to
as DR Congo, CongoKinshasa or the DRC, is a
country located in central
Africa. It is the second largest
country in Africa by area and
the eleventh largest in the
world. The Democratic
Republic of the Congo is the
nineteenth most populous
nation in the world, the fourth most populous nation in Africa, as well as the most
populous officially Francophone country.
It borders the Central African Republic and South Sudan to the north; Uganda, Rwanda,
and Burundi in the east; Zambia and Angola to the south; the Republic of the Congo, the
Angolan exclave of Cabinda, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west; and is separated from
Tanzania by Lake Tanganyika in the east. The country has access to the ocean through
a 40-kilometre (25 mi) stretch of Atlantic coastline at Muanda and the roughly 9 km wide
mouth of the Congo River which opens into the Gulf of Guinea. It has the second-highest
total Christian population in Africa.
Population
In 2009, the United Nations estimated the country's population to be 66 million people, a
rapid increase from 39.1 million in 1992 despite the ongoing war. As many as 250
ethnic groups have been identified and named. The most numerous people are the
Kongo, Luba, and Mongo. About 600,000 Pygmies are the aboriginal people of the DR
Congo. Although several hundred local languages and dialects are spoken, the
linguistic variety is bridged both by widespread use of French and intermediary
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Congolese Community Profile
languages such as Kongo, Tshiluba, Swahili, and Lingala.. Average life expectancy at
birth in 2006 was approximately 51 years of age. A large proportion of DRC’s population
is young with 47% of the population being under 14 years of age.
A brief history
The country has experienced significant conflict and instability since gaining
independence rule from Belgian rule in 1960. The country was known as Zaire from
1965 - 1997, under the presidency of Colonel Joseph Mobutu but was renamed the
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 1997 following the toppling of the Mobutu
regime in a rebellion led by Laurent Kabila.
In August 1998, a regional war broke out between the DRC Government and Ugandan-
and Rwandan backed rebels. As a result, around 1.8 million Congolese were internally
displaced and around 300 000 fled to neighbouring countries. Laurent Kabila was
assassinated in 2001 and succeeded as president by his son Joseph Kabila. The new
president began overtures to end the war and a peace accord was signed in South
Africa in 2002. However, much of the country remains unstable, particularly in the east. It
is estimated that since it started in 1998, the conflict in DRC has killed up to 5.4 million
people and is often described as the world’s deadliest conflict since World War II. As of
March 2005, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimated
that around 320 000 refugees from DRC were dispersed among neighbouring countries,
with significant numbers located in Tanzania (around 155 000), Zambia (around 66 000),
the Central African Republic (around 58 000) and Uganda (around 18 000).
Ethnicity, language and religion
In 2009, people in the Congo may still be dying at a rate of an estimated 45,000 per
month, and estimates of the number who have died from the long conflict range from
900,000 to 5,400,000. The death toll is due to widespread disease and famine; reports
indicate that almost half of the individuals who have died are children under the age of 5.
There have been frequent reports of weapon bearers killing civilians, destroying
property, widespread sexual violence, causing hundreds of thousands of people to flee
their homes or otherwise breaching humanitarian and human rights law. A new study
says more than 400,000 women are raped in the Democratic Republic of Congo every
year.
On February 24, 2013 a United Nations-backed accord aimed at stabilizing the
Democratic Republic of the Congo called the Peace, Security and Cooperation
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Congolese Community Profile
Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo was signed in the Ethiopian
capital, Addis Ababa by eleven African countries – Angola, Burundi, Central African
Republic, Congo, the Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Uganda
and Tanzania
In 2015 major protests broke out across the country and protesters demanded that
Joseph Kabila step down as President. The protests began after the passage of a law by
the Congolese lower house that, if also passed by the Congolese upper house, would
keep Kabila in power at least until a national census was conducted (a process which
would likely take several years and therefore keep him in power past the planned 2016
elections, which he is constitutionally barred from participating in).
This bill was passed, however, it was gutted of language that would keep Joseph Kabila
in power until a census took place. A census is supposed to take place, but it is no
longer tied to when the elections take place. Currently, elections are scheduled for late
2016 and a tenuous peace holds over the Congo.
Ethnicity, language and religion
Ethnicity
There are between 200-250 ethnic groups in DRC, each with different languages or
dialects and customs. The majority groups are Bantu (including the Mongo, Luba and
Kongo/Congo tribes) and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic). These two groups make up
45% of the population. Other ethnicities reported in small numbers are Lubu, Kasai,
Congo and Bantu.
Ethnicity, citizenship and nationality are complex factors. Nationality, for example, can
be seen as an artificial construct, having been created through the imposition of colonial
rule without regard for Ethnic boundaries. People are likely to identify themselves in
relation to their tribal or ethnic backgrounds and the region from which they come.
Relationships between ethnic groups in DRC vary. During the country's turbulent recent
history many competing interests have at times encouraged and exploited ethnic
tensions to gain political, military and economic power.
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Congolese Community Profile
Language
French is the DRC’s official language, used in government, as well as in secondary and
tertiary education. It is meant to be an ethnically neutral language, to ease
communication among the many different ethnic groups. However, only a small
proportion of the population uses French as a working language. There are four national
languages - Lingala, Kikongo, Swahili and Tshiluba. In addition there are approximately
200-250 local languages which are a different dialect of the four national languages.
Religion
Christian missionaries had an enormous impact on Congolese society. Catholicism in
particular has had a major impact developing a large network of churches, school and
hospitals within the DRC. Approximately 80% of the population in the DRC are Christian.
Approximately 50% are Roman Catholic and 20% protestant. Traditional beliefs still
feature strongly and there are Congolese-Christian-based religions which integrate
indigenous beliefs. Approximately 10% of the population follow the Islamic religion.
Family Values
Family
For the Congolese family encompasses a wide group of relatives, including extended
family such as grandparents, aunts and uncles, nephews and nieces and cousins.
Congolese people take pride in coming from a good family, and are taught to contribute
to the family's well being by respecting their elders and providing for family members. It
is common for people to take in nephews or nieces if necessary.
Relationships and marriage
The legal age for marriage in DRC is 18 years, although in rural areas, girls may be
prepared for marriage at a much earlier age. While polygamy is illegal, the practice
continues in some tribes.
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Congolese Community Profile
Marriage in DRC is considered as the uniting of two families. In DRC dowry is paid to the
bride’s family. The dowry not only is provided to the bride’s father but it is customary to
also provide dowry to the bride’s uncles.
Congolese people are generally against divorce and believe that it is has a detrimental
effect on the children of a marriage. Divorce is considered a very last resort to marital
problems. If a couple are having marital problems it is not unusual for the wife to live with
the husband’s relatives until the issue can be resolved. Both the wife and husbands
families will provide advice and mediation in an attempt to prevent the couple from
divorcing.
Role of men and women
Gender roles are traditional, particularly in rural areas. Men undertake hunting, clearing
the forest and much of the important decision making. Women tend to crops, prepare
meals, care for children and look after the home. Women’s legal rights are limited –
married women cannot open a bank account, obtain a passport or rent or sell property
without their husband’s permission.
Children and childcare
Families are usually large as children are seen as a sign of properity in DRC for the
family and the community. Traditionally, contraception is not commonly practicsed and
may be frowned upon as it deprives the community of growth.
The raising of children is often seen as a community responsibility, with all adults in the
community taking a role in providing guidance, discipline and protection. Strict
obedience is shown to parents, especially the father. Children are expected to meet the
academic and career goals that their parents set for them. It is a disgrace when a child
disobeys as this is seen as bringing shame to the family and the parents amongst
relatives and the community.
A booklet published by Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre titled Parenting in a New
Culture: A guide for Congolese parents is an informative publication which explores, in
depth, the traditional parenting practices common to the Congolese people. A copy of
this can be downloaded at: http://www.spectrumvic.org.au/.
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Congolese Community Profile
Education and Employment
Education
By law, primary school is compulsory and free in DRC. In reality, there are not enough
schools or teachers in DRC and many schools that do exist are insufficiently resourced.
In the early 1990s fewer than 50 percents or school-aged children were enrolled in
primary and secondary school. Boys are more likely to receive education than girls, with
only five out of every 100 girls finishing their schooling. In 2003, it was estimated that
approximately 65 per cent of the population was literate that is, aged 15 or over and able
to read and write in French, Lingala, Kinwana or Tshiluba. Refugee education levels may
be considerable lower.
Occupations
Males from rural areas of DRC may be familiar with basic farming practices. Women
from rural areas may also have skills in growing small food crops but are unlikely to have
any formal employment history.
In urban areas in DRC, unemployment is high. Men may have experience in a range of
fields including tailoring, or shoe repair, construction, taxi and bus driving and smallscale retail. Females may also have experience in information small-scale retail.
Pre-arrival experiences
Conflicts in DRC have been extreme and brutal. Both militia groups and national forces
have targeted civilian homes, hospitals, school and communities. Forced recruitment of
child soldiers has been common. Most entrants have experienced highly traumatic
events, including physical violence against themselves, family members and friends.
Prior to coming to Australia most Congolese people have spend many years in refugee
camps in the Central African region. The conditions in the camps can vary from
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Congolese Community Profile
camp to camp. Camps sizes vary greatly. In some camps there are tens of thousands of
people whilst others may only have a few thousand. Some camps provide basic
accommodation and services, like health clinics, education and employment
programmes, while others have no such resources.
Other Congolese living in Australia may not have lived in refugee camps. They may have
established themselves in urban areas in other countries after fleeing DRC. These
people may be more familiar with urban lifestyles and technology but are still likely to
have been living in poverty with limited education and employment opportunities and
inadequate health care.
The Congolese people in Australia
The 2011 ABS Census identified 2,576 people living in Australia as being born in DRC,
an increase of 316.8 per cent from the 2006 Census. The 2011 distribution by state and
territory showed Queensland had the largest number with 578 followed by South
Australia (544), New South Wales (490) and Western Australia (448), according to
the Department of Immigration and Citizenships (DIAC) Settlement Database (SBD).
The Congolese Community in Shepparton
Population
Refugees from the DRC began arriving in Shepparton in October 2005 as part a federal
and state pilot program to resettle refugees in regional Victoria. As of April 2010 16
Congolese families (a total approximate of 140) were living in Shepparton. The families
are considerably large with one family having 7 children. On average there are six
people in each family.
In June of 2013 the Congolese community in Shepparton had increased to 23 families
and approximately 160 people.
In June 2015 the Congolese community in Shepparton had approximately 280 people.
There were 25 large families with 8 or more children, 11 families with 3-4 children and
approximately 9 singles.
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Congolese Community Profile
Languages
Because the Congolese people in Shepparton have come from different parts of DRC,
belong to different tribal groups and vary in their level of education, the languages
spoken amongst the 36 families in Shepparton is quite diverse. This diversity is such that
when all members of the community meet, interpreters are often required to translate.
For example, an interpreter may be required to translate from English to French and one
also to translate from French to Swahili. A number of Congolese also speak Lingala as
their first language.
New entrants from DRC are likely to have limited or no English Language skills and will
thus require translating and interpreting services in French, Lingala or Swahili.
Education
Most of the adults in the Congolese Community have at least a primary school
education. Prior to arriving in Australia some people had been to secondary school and
only a few had completed tertiary education.
The Congolese children attend local schools predominantly Christian / Catholic schools.
Some children may experience some problems with adjusting to school when they first
arrive due mainly to language difficulties.
The adults that have settled in Shepparton have been enthusiastic to embark on further
their education. In addition to attending English lessons some of the Congolese adults
have completed vocational training in hospitality, horticulture, landscaping, aged care,
agriculture and some are attending university to obtain a Bachelor degree and
undertaking post graduate studies.
Employment
Many of the adults are currently employed. Their occupations include teaching, dairy
farming, aged care assistance, community work, landscaping, and hospitality.
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Congolese Community Profile
Health
In general the people of the Congolese community are in good general health. Their
main health concerns revolve around vitamin deficiencies particularly vitamin D and iron.
Some have experienced malaria but have not had any reoccurrence since arriving in
Australia.
Contacts
Goulburn Valley Congolese Association
President: Rashidi Sumaili
Phone: 0422 347 237
Ethnic Council of Shepparton
Phone: 03 5831 2395
Issues
Language
When children first arrive in Australia they are enrolled in mainstream schools. The
experience has been that these children struggle until they gain proficiency in the
English language. When first arriving in Australia, or Shepparton, it would be beneficial
for school aged children to attend English classes before attending mainstream schools.
An inability to speak English prevents many people from the Congolese community from
obtaining their drivers licence and accessing health care.
A lack of English also contributes to a high number of people failing the citizenship test.
Passing the citizenship test is considered very important to the Congolese people as it
ensures travelling back to visit family in DRC less problematic.
Language is increasingly becoming a communication issue for parents who may have
limited English and their children who have good English skills but limited ability in their
parents language. Often a parent will speak to the children in Swahili or Lingala and the
child will respond in English.
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Congolese Community Profile
Parents are concerned that in time their first language will not be used and a significant
link to their country of origin and heritage will be lost.
The community has identified a need for increased English language training linked to
day to day activities and vocational training.
Communication
The best form of communication was through the leaders and holding information
sessions. These sessions could include Australian culture, Family Law, violence, career
pathways, health, computer literacy, Centrelink, Medicare, purchasing property,
consumer rights, local government, civil and criminal law and specific training courses.
Education
Parents indicate a concern that the school system does not adequately involve them in
the school processes and that the schools could be more culturally appropriate and
inclusive. Language is a huge barrier for parents as is literacy and parental education as
they find it difficult to assist their children with studies and homework.
There is concern that young people are dropping out of school and becoming
disengaged from their community.
Family
As per Congolese culture, husband has the right to have the control of the family and be
able to chastise his wife as part of being married to her. There has been a massive
change in power between husband and wife as they are equal in their new country and
this can be the cause of more issues within the family.
Involvement with the Police
The community leaders are generally the first point of contact for any family/community
matters and they will try to resolve any conflict or matters in their community and if
community leaders cannot find a solution the last resort with be the police.
Due to lack understanding of the role of police some community members feel that they
were targeted.
Understanding the legal system
Although many of the Congolese people have been in Australia for several years there is
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Congolese Community Profile
still a lack of clarity about the Australian legal system and there has been confusion over
issues such as bullying, child discipline, domestic violence and privacy.
Congolese people are reluctant to go to court because lawyers cost money and the
costs are prohibitive.
Isolation and barriers to women’s participation
Many women experience a sense of isolation due to a lack of participation in activities
outside of the home. Many of the women would like to participate in a regular exercise
program. However they feel they are restricted by a perceived lack of childcare options
available to them.
Understanding Health, employment and rental systems
Community leaders have identified that many members of the community lack an
understanding of how various systems work in Australia including the health,
employment and accommodation systems.
The challenge of applying for private rental without a rental history was described as a
community problem as was the perception of discrimination and assumption by property
managers that large families will cause damage to rental properties. Language was
seen as a barrier to accessing rental properties and all communities are seeking further
information on rights and responsibilities in the public and private rental systems.
Intergenerational Change
The community is growing and many parents are concerned that their children are
adopting characteristics of the mainstream young population which they believe will lead
to a loss of culture and identity.
Parents are anxious that young people will frequent night clubs and entertainment
venues, consume alcohol and lose their family values.
The community has identified the need for youth based venues and activities to support
traditional family structures.
Disputes within the community were on the increase, particularly due to intergenerational
conflict.
On occasion Family violence has occurred and come to the attention of Victoria Police
and Child Protection although the level of incidence is well below the occurrence in the
mainstream community which suggests an issue of under reporting.
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Congolese Community Profile
When these issues occur Community Leaders are the first response and other
authorities will become involved if the threat increases.
The community identifies contributing factors to family violence as:
•
Culture shock from adapting to a new way of life.
•
Differing systems from Congo to Australia.
•
Family frustration at the loss of culture, language and tradition as younger
generation assimilates to Australian culture and systems.
•
Loss of parental influence.
•
Lack of knowledge about supports and assistance if family violence is an issue.
All new arrival communities have expressed concern at their lack of knowledge or
understanding of the Child Protection systems which they view as more favourable to
their children and do not respect the rights of families. They are seeking more
information on the capacity to discipline children and impose family curfews. There is
concern that children who leave the family home bring shame to the family and
community.
Congolese Cafe / Restaurant
Aligned to the issues of young people the community has identified the potential to
develop a Congolese operated cafe / restaurant catering primarily to young people and
also utilising the skills of many community members who have hospitality qualifications
achieved through the TAFE system.
The cafe would provide a business opportunity for community members and enable the
young people to visit a family approved venue to enjoy music, food and African culture.
Community Association
The Association is functioning well at present but its history has been a group divided by
personality issues and with limited capacity to deliver good community outcomes.
Through hard work the current leadership group has brought the community together
around common interests and an inclusive approach to women and young people. The
Association recognises they need to maintain relevance for community members to
remain a viable group and they will seek additional funding to deliver community based
projects. They identify the need for leadership training and support. The best way to
communicate with the community was through their leaders.
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The Leaders of the community identified that their community needs assistance with
money skills and budgeting.
*Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/statistics/commsumm/summary.htm
*http://dfat.gov.au/geo/congo-democratic-republic-of/Pages/congo-democratic-republic-of-the.aspx1 *
*Issues raised in community consultation in conjunction with GO TAFE, Victoria Police, Department of
Justice & Regulation and Department Health and Human Services.
*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_the_Congo
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